Cocu: No more Hunger

A Farewell interview with Phillip Cocu.

It’s a matter of weeks, before you’re formally an ex-football player. How does that feel?

PC: Oh, I don’t think about that, really. The competition may be over, but we’re still training. It may not be much, but we’re still in that rhythm.

How did you come to your decision to quit?

PC: I had my doubts last year. I am not much of a planner. But when I returned from Barcelona I thought: maybe two years in Holland and than that’s it. Last year I had that drive, that hunger. This season it was harder. I really needed to gear myself up for some matches. At first you think it’s a phase, but after a while you sort of understand the signals.

Did you discuss it with other players of your generation who quit before you?

PC: No, because it doesn’t work like that. It’s an individual decision. Others could say: look how fit you are, but it’s a feeling you have yourself. You know best for yourself.

But you’re fit, everything still looks smooth… Why quit?

PC: That’s what you see. But physically I feel it. In a big way. Now, I could give it my 100% but it was tough. I need a rest now. I may decide to jump into some sort of adventure. I always said I’d quit at PSV but not necessarely for good. If I feel the jiggle I may enter into a new chapter.

Australië or Qatar?

PC: Or something else. I don’t know. Haven’t given it any thought.

How absurd was this last Sunday, knowing you would quit?

PC: I am pretty cool, normally, but last Sunday I could feel the emotions roar. It was a tough and emotional six months. And such a final of the competition, that’s unique. Extraordinary to be a part of it. And it doesn’t matter who you support or in which stadium you were, it was utterly bizar.

I played 20 years and this was a first. And to score the winner, against one of my old clubs. Man, it was an emotional day and somehow it confirmed that I took the right decision.

Where did it go wrong for PSV after the winter break?

PC: Honestly, I do not know. That’s the beauty of sports. You can analyse it, discuss it, watch it but it’s hard to grasp. It’s form, it’s confidence, injuries..all of that…

But to give eleven points away…

PC: Well, we entered a phase for which noone at PSV was prepared. What the hell is happening, we all thought. And then the media, the pressure. Our confidence was hit. And every match it became tougher and tougher. Everyone, supporters, chairman, assistant coaches…every one was trying to do their thing to help, but it wasn’t coordinated so it must have looked clumsy… The consistency was gone and that was and is PSV’s biggest strength.

Despite winning the league, Ronald Koeman’s position is in danger. What’s your position?

PC: It’s not for me to react. I can only say that I have work intensively with Ronald, particularly the last six months and I look back at that with a very positive feeling.

With whom do you compare yourself as a player?

PC: Pfff….you don’t think like that as a player, I guess. When I started I was a typical dreamy leftwinger. I had a brilliant move and then 25 minutes of sleepwalking… That has changed and I changed that myself, with the help of my coaches and friends and family and teammates, you know… You got to recognize the opportunities that are given to you. And to always want to improve yourself. Try out a different spot in the team, work with different coaches…that makes you a better and more complete player.

When were you “ready” as a player?

PC: You never are. You can’t ever be satisfied. I think I squeezed everything out of myself as a player. There’s not a lot left. And that’s how I am. I am a sore loser. Still.
And that was important in my development as a player.

But if you’re never satisfied, how can you enjoy what you achieve?

PC: Good point. In the beginning that was hard. Particularly at Barcelona, there was so much pressure. Every day. There’s not a lot of moments where you think: Ah, I am playing in front of 100.000 people, what a club! It doesn’t work like that. Everything goes so fast. Always on the road. When I got back at PSV I could really enjoy the good moments.

After getting back at PSV it seems the public really started to appreciate you.

PC: Yeah, people looked at me differently. Funny, for me at least, because all those years in Spain I played the same kind of football. But people in Holland didn’t see all those matches, I guess.

People call you the ideal pro.

PC: I always lived for football. Which doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy a glass of wine or a party here and there. But I always watched what I ate, for instance. And I took my rest moments. But it never felt as a chore, or something.

Top athletes are anti-social, people say.

PC: Well, you need to really take care of your body. So, sometimes you have to say no to parties, or birthdays or social activities, yes. Then it’s important to sleep a couple of hours or go to bed early. My wife always supported that. She was very important for me in my career.

How will people look back at Phillip Cocu?

PC: Geez, that’s a tough one. I never was a club-jumper. I was loyal to my clubs and always gave my 100% and more for my clubs and my country. I have played horrible matches, but always worked hard. If I played bad, I worked even harder… People always saw that and I think people appreciated that. I can feel that.

What won’t you miss, when you retire?

PC: I think I’ll miss everything. Maybe not the constant travelling. But at PSV that’s a lot less already. The attention? No, I don’t think so. But maybe I will, who knows. It’s become normal. You don’t really realise it anymore.